Multi-SIM UE Secondary Cell Activation via Activity Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular network technologies face limitations in supporting multi-SIM operations, especially in the 'RRC_Connected' state, with limited support for multi-SIM UEs using multiple cells and autonomous gaps, and inefficient control of secondary cell activation/deactivation, leading to suboptimal connectivity and power management.
Innovation Solution
The method involves configuring UE operation based on communication activity patterns between cellular networks, using MAC Control Elements for dynamic control of secondary cell activation/deactivation, allowing efficient sharing of transmitters and receivers across networks and reducing signaling overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a UE operates simultaneously with multiple cellular networks as different subscribers, then multi-SIM functionality is enabled, but paging collision and network switching complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of the secondary cell based on communication activity patterns. The network entity receives activity pattern information indicating when the UE will be active on the second network, and accordingly activates or deactivates the secondary cell in real-time, allowing the system to adapt to varying multi-SIM operation requirements without fixed configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the secondary cell (activation/deactivation state) based on received communication activity pattern information. By modifying these parameters dynamically according to predicted activity patterns, the system resolves paging collision issues while maintaining multi-SIM functionality
2Reliability
If the UE remains in RRC_Connected state with the first network while switching to the second network, then connectivity is maintained, but device power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining continuous RRC_Connected state, the system uses periodic activation/deactivation of the secondary cell based on communication activity patterns. The secondary cell is activated only during predicted activity periods and deactivated during idle periods, reducing power consumption while maintaining connectivity when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The network entity receives advance information about communication activity patterns and proactively activates or deactivates the secondary cell before actual communication activities occur. This preliminary action allows the UE to enter low-power states during predicted idle periods while ensuring rapid reactivation when communication is needed
3Reliability
If RRC signalling is used for secondary cell activation/deactivation, then reliable control is achieved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using full RRC signalling for every secondary cell state change, the system uses MAC Control Elements which are shorter, partial signalling messages. This partial action approach reduces signaling overhead while maintaining sufficient control reliability for secondary cell activation and deactivation based on activity patterns
Data Source
AI summary
Operation in respect of a User Equipment (UE) in at least one cellular network is configured. A communication activity pattern for the UE is communicated. The communication activity pattern indicates a start time and end time for the communication activity with reference to a period of at least one radio frame, such that the at least one cellular network can be configured for communication with the UE during or excluding the time indicated by the communication activity pattern.